Orlando Lake Nona football coach Anthony Paradiso raved about his project of a defesive lineman back in September, weeks before Chris Ferguson ever stepped on the football field as a varsity player.

He was right.

The hulking defensive tackle with a 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame came over to the United States from Nassau, Bahamas, in April. Paradiso knew he had something good when he first saw the kid’s footwork. Four months later, the Lake Nona coach isn’t the only one impressed.

Ferguson committed to the University of Cincinnati on Sunday while on an official recruiting visit. He picked the Bearcats over FBS scholarship offers from Illinois, Minnesota, South Alabama and Western Kentucky. Bethune-Cookman was also in the mix of suitors, joining several other FCS hopefuls.

In the end, however, it was the pitch by Cincinnati’s passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach and former UCF quarterback Darin Hinshaw that sold Ferguson.

The Sentinel caught up with Ferguson via text message just prior to takeoff from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport en route back to Orlando.

The quick-footed defensive tackle was not even sure what position the Bearcats want him to play. He didn’t care.

“I’ll play wherever they put me and give it 100 percent,” Ferguson texted while sitting on the tarmac.

Ferguson, who is ranked No. 40 in the Sentinel's 2014 Central Florida Super60, moved to Orlando from the Bahamas last spring, and he’s had an impressive ascent up the football ladder. He had no idea what he was doing when the team donned pads for fall workouts, but Paradiso knew what was coming.

“That’s the guy you need to watch right there,” Paradiso said back in September. “He’s going to be a beast.”

He as right, and Ferguson had a good enough senior season to even earn a spot in the Orange Coutny Metro All-Star Game in December. His best years are ahead of him.

Ferguson is the 27th commitment to the Bearcats 2014 class and second Orlando player, joining Dr. Phillips defensive back Davin Pierce.